THE Gospel says many years ago, the words ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’ resonated from a multitude of angels the night Jesus the Messiah was born.
This Christmas, we are reminded once again of those words and their importance when we recall all that Almighty God has done for us.
While some parts of the world are celebrating a white Christmas by making snowmen and baking hot roast dinners with all the trimmings, Christmas in Fiji is a different experience entirely.
The warm and sunny weather means sand and seafood but lovo is mainly prepared in many households.
With colourful decorations and fireworks, Christmas in a Fijian family means get-togethers, church, mass and carolling.
However, now that we live in a revolutionary world, exploited with advanced technologies, Santa is now becoming increasingly popular to the children here in Fiji, silently hoping for his visit.
Most Fijian resorts carry on these traditions and organise fantastic Christmas celebrations for guests to enjoy. Santa makes a much anticipated appearance arriving in the true Fijian style.
Other island resorts will also provide plenty of opportunities for surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, and water skiing. So, visitors have plenty of things to keep themselves busy during their vacation in Fiji.
Celebrating Christmas in Fiji can make a perfect holiday for anyone who’s interested to know how this festival is observed in different countries and cultures. So, gear up for all the fun and have a great time in Fiji this holiday season if you are here holidaying.
Shipping companies also enjoy this busy season with the number of people returning to their villages to spend the holidays with their families, tokatoka, mataqali and yavusa members.
Some are visiting their village for the first time while some are returning after a long period. In the iTaukei culture, the two weeks holidays (Christmas and New Years) is mainly celebrated at the community hall around the tanoa with jokes and laughter while they reminisce.
In villages, vakatunuloa will be put up with music playing effortlessly every night.
For those visiting their village for the first time, a traditional welcoming ceremony with dances will be accorded to them.
Villagers will participate in singing, and enjoy the traditional meke, which is usually a part of every important occasion in Fiji. This classic dance form involves a fan dance or “seasea” by women and a spear dance known as meke wesi by men.
When it comes to the food, just like any other important day in Fiji, everything is cooked in the lovo underground hot stone ‘oven’ that are placed just outside homes.
A big feast is planned for either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and some of the more popular dishes include kokoda, fish, vakalolo, palusami, crabs and many more traditional meals and desserts.
The traditional drink, yaqona, is also an important part of the celebration with villages holding community parties with friends and relatives in the larger towns and cities according to tourismfiji.com.
Beach picnics and parties are also held during Christmas — these parties continue until the new year.
For us Christians, we celebrate Christmas in our own way, a time when those of many different faiths can come together, a time of fellowship and merrymaking with family members and friends.
This season should also be a time to make new friends and mend broken relationships, to be accommodating and to forgive.
Christmas is also a good time to reflect on what has transpired, learn from shortfalls and make commitments to do better or be a better person.
With such beautiful weather to enjoy over the festive season, it’s no wonder Fijians like to make Christmas and new year a month-long celebration!
